Alchemy Forums
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Spiritual Alchemy - Interpreting Representative Texts

2 posters

Go down

Spiritual Alchemy - Interpreting Representative Texts Empty Spiritual Alchemy - Interpreting Representative Texts

Post  Radiant Star Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:51 pm

I found this:
Spiritual Alchemy - Interpreting Representative Texts and Images by Karen-Claire Voss
This writer provides her definitions and then goes onto explain her ideas very clearly, its worth a read I think.
Radiant Star
Radiant Star
Visita
Visita

Number of posts : 13
Registration date : 2007-12-14

Back to top Go down

Spiritual Alchemy - Interpreting Representative Texts Empty Jacob's Ladder

Post  deviadah Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:05 am

In the frame, we see a figure lying on the ground sleeping. On the ladder between heaven and earth are two angels - one descending, the other ascending - who are blowing trumpets by the sleeping figure in order to awaken him. This ladder, a sign of meditation between heaven and earth, connotes Jacob’s dream at Bethel (Gen.28:11-12). Jung has commented that this figure represents a person who is profoundly unconscious of himself... who have not yet integrated their future, more extensive personality, their wholeness, or, in the language of the mystics, the ones who are not yet enlightened.

This observation underscores the traditional esoteric meaning of Jacob’s Ladder. Before Jacob went to sleep, he did not know the sacrality of the place, but when he awakened, he did... Heaven is above, and separated from the earth; the divine is separated from the human. The ascending angels and the ladder symbolically represent the means of connection between these spheres; it is here a mediated connection. This symbolism, together with the two branches bearing thorns and flowers that are tied together, refers to the alchemical oppositions that will be resolved; it also tells us something about the initial understanding of causality. When we have two material objects that we want to join, we use glue, or nails, or, as pictured here, we tie them together with a knot. In other words, a mechanical means is used to join two things that are separate. A clear distinction is made between the means or method of performing an action and the thing that is the object of the action. Mechanistic causality is precisely what is symbolized for us here.
From the link you provided Radiant Star, and I like the essay. And the concept of causality has always been an interest of mine. The Ladder is of course a symbol that can be found in almost any esoteric movement from alchemy to freemasonry! It also looks a lot like DNA!
What the hell!

Spiritual Alchemy - Interpreting Representative Texts Jacobsladder

And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. - from Genesis 32:30
Third Eye
deviadah
deviadah
Occultum
Occultum

Number of posts : 875
Registration date : 2007-10-08

http://deviadah.blogspot.com

Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum